S3 Viking History

BuNo: 159733
Location: USS Enterprise
Date: Sun 08-Nov-1998
Cause: LSO/Air Boss
Findings: November 8, 1998: At approximately 1920 hours aboard the USS Enterprise, the S-3 made a normal landing, but remained in the landing area while other aircraft were being repositioned. The backup was caused by two jets that were late getting into position for launch. The S-3 sat in the landing area with wings folded waiting to be spotted. LSO was unaware of deck being fouled, air boss realized no one was waving off the Prowler, he yelled over the 5MC speaker, 'No chance paddles! Wave him off'. Problems with 5MC speaker near the LSO platform may have been a contributing factor. Air boss had a wave-off button but hesitated to use it. The hesitation proved fatal. Air boss finally hit the 'wave-off' lights just as the Prowler passed over the ramp and about 10 feet off the ground. At the same time there was lots of frantic radio transmission when S-3 pilot said to eject about the same time the EA-6B right wing struck the S-3's vertical stabilizer and its nose struck the S-3's left wing that was folded. A massive fireball erupted, the Prowler veered off the port side and disappeared. Cause of mishap is the LSO/Air Boss. Two crewmen in S-3 ejected safely, and the four crewmen in EA-6B also ejected but were killed with three bodies not recovered.
Collateral damage included 3 F/A-18C Hornets: 164273, 165183, 165174.
Command never sent copies to JAG.
Source: Naval Safety Center (Redacted copy of the report)
Source: Internet Articles/Ejection-history.org.uk

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